Recognizing Judge Willie Earl Lockette

Floor Speech

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Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor and pleasure to extend my personal congratulations and best wishes to an exceptional community leader and outstanding public servant, Judge Willie Earl Lockette, on the occasion of his retirement as the Chief Judge of the Superior Court of Doughtery County.

A native of Turner County, Georgia, Judge Lockette received his bachelor's degree in History and Political Science from Fort Valley State College (now University) where he began his lifelong journey as a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Following his time at Fort Valley State College, Judge Lockette completed his juris doctorate degree from the University of Illinois, College of Law at Champaign.

For almost three decades, Judge Lockette has been a distinguished jurist and public servant in Doughtery County. He has built quite an impressive career, which began with his position as a Staff Attorney with the Albany, Georgia Regional Office of Georgia Legal Services Programs, Inc. (GLSP), where he litigated federal and state cases on behalf of indigent Georgians. In 1991, he was appointed as an Associate Judge of the Magistrate Court of Dougherty County, and in 1993, he was appointed to Chief Judge. In 1996, Lockette declared his candidacy for Judge of the Superior Court of Dougherty County, and won a decisive victory over a well-established, well-financed opponent. Judge Lockette's win was historic. With his election he became the first African American to win a county-wide contested election in the Dougherty Judicial Circuit. Judge Lockette would go on to win six additional terms, becoming the Chief Judge of the Superior Court in 2009.

In addition to his legal background, Judge Lockette has served in several other leadership roles in the Albany-Dougherty County community. In 2001, he answered the call to gospel ministry and went on to become an ordained minister. For 12 years, he served as a Pastor's Assistant at the New Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Today, Judge Lockette is the Pastor of the Greater Pines Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where he continues to shepherd his congregation and serve the greater community. Additionally, for nearly 10 years, Judge Lockette served as an Adjunct Professor of Political Science, History and Public Administration at Albany State University.

In addition to his extensive career, Judge Lockette was the recipient of several awards and distinctions. He was the inaugural recipient of the coveted Dan Bradley Award for Public Service and has also been nominated for appointments to several judgeships, to include the Georgia Court of Appeals, the United States Magistrate Court, and the United States District Court.

Judge Lockette has accomplished so much throughout his life, but none of this would have been possible without the Grace of God and the love and support of his wife, Helen Hamilton Lockette and their four children, 12 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Sir Winston Churchill often said: ``You make your living by what you get; you make your life by what you give.'' Southwest Georgia is truly a better place because of Judge Willie Lockette's service to his community as an attorney, judge, pastor, professor, and neighbor. His dedication and his expertise as a public servant are unparalleled, but his heart for helping others has made his life's work truly special.

On a personal note, Judge Lockette has been my friend for many years. He never told me what he thought I wanted to hear; he told me what he thought I needed to hear. I will forever cherish his sage counsel and advice which has been invaluable to me as I have served in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the more than 765,000 people of Georgia's Second Congressional District, in extending our sincerest appreciation and best wishes to Judge Willie Earl Lockette upon the occasion of his retirement from an outstanding career of public service.

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